Building Victoria’s Future

INTREC are proud to have secured works to deliver an Australian-first Tunnelling Training Centre at Holmesglen Institute’s Chadstone campus, funded by the State Government through Rail Project Victoria (RPV) (formerly known as Melbourne Metro Rail Authority), North-East Link Authority and West Gate Authority.

In
developing the next generation of tunnelling professionals, the new Victorian
Tunnelling Centre will offer both
existing and new courses, including Certificate and Diploma qualifications as
well as safety-based training for working underground. By 2021, it is estimated
up to 5,000 students will participate in training courses at the Centre each
year as part of the Victorian Government’s
planned Suburban Rail Loop project.

The new facility will include a replica mine tunnel and rail tunnel with
a full-height entrance, three multi-purpose engineering workrooms and training
facilities including tunnel shaft and concrete lining spray simulators, as well
as virtual reality experiences.

Construction
of the Centre, which is modelled on the successful Tunnelling and Underground
Construction Academy established as part of London’s Crossrail, is due to
commence later this month.

The Centre will support Victoria’s growing construction and engineering
industry by training the local workforce in underground construction and
tunnelling. The Centre will also play a crucial part in upskilling thousands of
apprentices, trainees and cadets, who will deliver Victoria’s future pipeline
of infrastructure projects, completing at least 10% of work hours under the
Major Projects Skills Guarantee.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews statedthat this will be the biggest-ever pipeline of transport projects in Victoria’s history, with projects in the pipeline expected to use more than 15 Tunnel Boring Machines combined. “We’re not only creating thousands of jobs as we deliver these vital projects – we’re making sure local workers have the skills they need to build them” he said.

INTREC are excited to play a part in shaping the future of tunneling in Australia.